February 2009 Newsletter

E SSENTIAL H EALING

AND

M ASSAGE

F EBRUARY 2009 N EWSLETTER V OLUME 1, I SSUE 4 N EWSLETTER D ATE F EB 1 2009 F EBRUARY , MONTH OF P URIFICATION , NURTURING , VALENTINES AND S PECIAL POINTS VANILLA B Y H ELEN F LOYD

Did you know

that the Ro-

mans originally considered winter a monthless period? February, one of the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar is named after the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 in the old Roman calendar. Houses were ritually cleansed, sweeping them out and sprinkling salt and wheat throughout their interiors. Also held in the middle of February was the ritual of Lupercalia, with is the forerunner of our Valentines Day . How does our Vanilla theme begun in January tie into this? Vanilla is also historically an aphrodisiac, especially pleasing to the male of the species . The essential oil of vanilla is highly prized in the art and science of perfumery. More about the properties of Vanilla Essential oil a little later…. Perhaps the Romans understood the winter energies that encourage and even demand that we slow down, look within and attune to oneself. The purifying element of the angelic overseer Gabriel was evident in the deep winter timing of their purification ritual. Putting a name to the experience of traveling inwards is difficult, a personal experience for which one does not find words easily, hence a “monthless” time- of nurturing oneself….This concept of nurturing yourself, of caring and doing something loving for yourself is more than just words. Our

minds, emotions and bodies need rest, rejuvenating, recharging and need to know and experience that we care for them.

OF

INTEREST :

If we don’t feed our plants in the garden, they will not grow strong, and it is the same for us. We are all facing a time of unprecedented change and uncertainty, but at the same time we can’t let it consume us alive. Take time to do something you love. Take a walk in the forest preserve. Close the door and listen to relaxing music. Paint, create something; set aside time that you always say can’t be “spared” to read a book or magazine. Take a class you’ve been putting off. Events and situations distress us and can cause panic; this closes down our ability to see options. We have extraordinary abilities within ourselves to quiet a fast beating heart, modulate panic, and soothe an anxious mind. I’ll share a technique of mine that has come in handy. First—breathe! Breathe deeply and SLOWLY three times and imagine that breath going to the base of your spine. You MUST relax your diaphragm to do this, and fill your belly up first with air, then your lungs. This is called a Yogic breath. Visualize your vertebrae relaxing and lengthening. Feel the air as it leaves and enters your nostrils. Imagine in your mind the WORST that could happen in your given situation. Accept this. Now see yourself having moved through and PAST the event or situation and it has been resolved. You don’t have to know how or what the details are, but see and feel that it has already happened. Keep the vision and continue to breathe. Imagination is far more powerful that you may think. Feel yourself relax as you move into the new space you’ve created.

For Animal Lovers— Need tags for your special pet? You may Buy handmade extra heavy duty tags for your pet from FETCHING TAGS; buy through the GRATEFUL PAWS website at http:// members.petfinder.org/ ~TX383/index2.htm and you will be helping this Texas based rescue and rehab group get a $3.00 donation and you save 10%. Reiki Spring (Vernal) Equinox Healing Attunement Sunday March 22 11:00 Am to 5:00 PM

I N THIS ISSUE : F EBRUARY , MONTH OF P URIFICATION ; N URTURING YOURSELF ;

1

RELAXATION EXERCISE

F EBRUARY S PECIALS 2 R ECIPE : B ELL P EPPER C ANOLLI WITH V ANILLA OIL

2

C ANDLE G LASS B RING IT BACK !

2

Spring Equinox Healing attunement Event

3

F EBRUARY 2009 N EWSLETTER

P AGE 2

Recipes and Concoctions Pepper Cannoli with vanilla oil Ingredients 2 yellow bell peppers 2 red bell peppers 1 tablespoon vanilla oil 1 15 oz. Ricotta cheese container ½ teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves 2 chopped basil leaves 2 teaspoons finely chopped chives 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon salt (yes, that much!) Pepper to taste (a lot!) Preparation: Preheat oven at 400 degrees Cut the top of the bell peppers ,removing seeds. Cut peppers in half ,remove the white “veins.”Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle the vanilla oil ,put the in the oven for 40 minutes. Turn after 20 minutes. In a small bowl, mix Ricotta cheese, fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Mix ingredients until thoroughly incorporated and chill. Remove peppers from the oven and peel the skin off on cold running water. Spoon the Ricotta cheese mixture in at one edge of the bell peppers and roll. Garnish with chopped chives. Serve as a cold appetizer.

For our February Specials: Vanilla Essential Oil Facts: In honor of the month of purification:

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy $10.00 off Treat your body to a detoxifying therapy that boosts the immune system, and helps to revitalize its function. Essential oils blended especially for this purpose are used.

By popular demand– Vanilla-Lavender whole Body Scrub special $50.00

OR Bulgarian Rose Whole Body Scrub $50.00 The same Base scrub mix with REAL Rose oil from the famous Rose Valley of Bulgaria. We always mix the scrubs fresh, just before you arrive.

While wonderful to smell, and delicious to eat– The Vanilla bean also has another side. It is also made into a concentrated essential oil . It appears as a thick RESIN, and exhibits several medicinal properties, one of which is a Febrifuge meaning it helps to fight fevers and inflammation, is an antidepressant, and has a mild tranquilizing effect on the brain and body. It is one the base fragrance notes in the most expensive perfumes in the world. Victorian women routinely used vanilla extract in place of these expensive perfumes.

Our Candle Glass Recycling Initiative:

Many of you have seen ( and You may still Add a one hour maspurchased) the beautiful Candles sage on for a special package price of $120.00 for approx 105 minutes. added to our office HANDMADE by JUST BASIC CANDLES. These Valentines Gift Certificate are Soy wax candles, with all cotton wicks made lovingly in small Special! batches and in a variety of Purchase a Gift Certificate in February fragrances. We have votives, tea and receive a FREE handmade Soy lights and various 4 to 10 oz glass Wax, all cotton wick VOTIVE candle containers. When you buy one of created for us by Just Basic Canthese, please bring back the glass dles. Our special VANILLA scent line container! We recycle/reuse these to create more candles and keep including Vanilla Lace and Vanilla Hathe same glass container in zelnut and VALENTINES scent line including Angel, Satin Sheets and Desire perpetual use. So– Bring those containers back! will be available. Limited quantities!

E SSENTIAL H EALING M ASSAGE

AND

2100 Manchester Road Suite 610 Wheaton Il 60187

Phone: 630-863-4712 E-mail: [email protected]

W W W . E SSENTIALHM. COM

Essential Healing and Massage is a family-run private practice designed as a spa alternative approximately 30 miles west of Chicago, IL in the suburb of Wheaton. It is for individuals interested in maintaining health and well-being, as well as those who simply want relief from muscular discomfort. Therapeutic massage for pain relief is our specialty- we love our jobs and take great pride in our work, and hope you'll see the difference that makes in your massage.

Therapeutic massage, Lymphatic Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Reflexology Thai Yoga Massage

HEALTH AND WELLNESS ORIENTED

Myofascial Release Therapy, Reiki Corporate Chair Massage

R EIKI R EIKI S PRING (V ERNAL ) E QUINOX H EALING ATTUNEMENT E VENT WILL BE M ARCH 22 11:00 A M TO 5:00 PM B Y APPOINTMENT ONLY. 20 M INUTE SESSIONS $25.00 C ALL 630 863 4712 D ETAILS ON THE ENERGIES OF THIS SEASON IN THE MARCH NEWSLETTER .

FROM

Quote: To be aware of a single shortcoming in oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in someone else.

H. H. THE DALAI LAMA